Which place is cheaper, Manila or Koh Samui?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Koh Samui or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Koh Samui or Manila? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Koh Samui or Manila?
Koh Samui
The largest island on the east coast of southern Thailand, Ko Samui (or Koh Samui) sees a good number of visitors every year who come for its lush rainforest, beautiful shores, and undersea wildlife. The size of the island is still small enough to allow visitors to circumnavigate it with a taxi or motorbike in a day, while hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of inland activities in the hills and jungle.
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
-
Koh Samui Prices
Thailand PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samui $77Manila $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samui is $77, while the average daily cost in Manila is $98. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Koh Samui and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samui $26Manila $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samui $52Manila $100
Compare Hotels in Koh Samui and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samui or Manila? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Koh Samui Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samui $19Manila $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Koh Samui:
-
Scooter Rental$2.30
-
Gas for Scooter$1.23
-
Airport Taxi$14
-
Taxi- Na Thon Pier to Lamai Beach$13
-
Minibus- Airport to Chaweng$3.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Samui
Also for Koh Samui, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Koh Samui Airport (USM): Private Transfer within the Island: $12
- Private Airport Transfer in Koh Samui Sedan 1-3 PAX: $14
- Private Transfer : Koh Samui Airport Arrival to Koh Samui Hotel (SHA Plus): $15
- Private Koh Samui Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $17
- Ko Samui Airport to Ko Samui - Arrival Private Transfer: $18
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Island Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui hotels to Ko Samui Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Airport (USM) to Ko Samui Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Port to Ko Samui Airport (USM): $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui Cruise Port to Ko Samui Hotels: $19
- Private Transfer from Ko Samui island hotels to Ko Samui Port: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $150
- Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samui or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Koh Samui change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
-
Food Meals for one dayKoh Samui $38Manila $29
Typical Food Prices in Koh Samui
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Samui:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Samui
For Koh Samui, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Koh Samui Local Market Hin Ta Hin Yai and Beach Dinner: $36
- Samui Suppers Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Coconut Corners Samui Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $78
- Thai Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Koh Samui: $78
- Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui: $79
- Thai Cooking Class | Farm to Table: $82
- Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Transfer: $85
- Thai Cooking Class from Koh Samui with Local Market: $86
- Sunset Dinner Cruise Koh Samui The Red Baron: $110
- Red Baron : A Sunset Dinner Cruise from Koh Samui with Return Transfer: $112
- Koh Samui Red Baron Sunset Dinner Cruise with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $120
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $60
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Samui $12Manila $18
Tours and Activities in Koh Samui
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Samui.
- Coconut Soap Making Demo and Experience Koh Samui Class@13:30 pm.: $2.34
- Kanchanaburi Mallika City Thai Cultural Tour Experience: $7.04
- Sky Bicycle Jungle Adventure Tour from Koh Samui: $14
- Paris Follies Cabaret Evening Entertainment Ticket from Koh Samui: $20
- Create Your Own Crystal Aroma Oil Ritual Experience: $20
- Samui: Double Seater Karting: Share the Driving Experience: $22
- Koh Samui Half Day Island Guided Tour: $23
- Koh Samui Chaweng Beach Nightlife Walking Tour: $24
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour by Minivan: $25
- Koh Samui Sightseeing Tour Around The Island: $25
- Elephant Sanctuary Entry and Feeding Experience: $28
- Angthong National Marine Park by Highsea Tour (Official): $30
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
- A Full Day Tour Adventure From Manila’s History to Volcano Views: $180
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
- Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver): $300
- Calatagan Beach Waterpark Island Hopping Adventure from Manila: $248
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Samui $5.21Manila $9.17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samui and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Koh Samui much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Samui would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Samui and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila than you might in Koh Samui.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samui Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Manila, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Manila?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Koh Samui or Manila in the Summer?
Both Manila and Koh Samui during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samui. Koh Samui usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Koh Samui is cooler than Manila in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Manila in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Also, October to December is the rainy season in Koh Samui. Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Samui usually receives around the same amount of rain as Manila. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Koh Samui is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Manila averages at about 26°C (79°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samui 24°C (75°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Manila in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Manila. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in January than Manila. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Koh Samui is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samui 22°C (72°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Koh Samui or Manila in the Spring?
Both Manila and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Manila. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Koh Samui is cooler than Manila in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samui 24°C (76°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Koh Samui
| Koh Samui | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.